What happens when you do everything right—better grades, stronger application—and still get rejected?

That’s exactly what happened to Dave the second time he applied to Occupational Therapy school. No interview. No offer. Just… “Well, shit.”

But that wasn’t the end of the story.

In this episode, Dave shares how he turned the sting of rejection into fuel for personal growth—and eventually, into a meaningful career as an Occupational Therapist. We dive into how our responses and reactions to our thoughts shape our reality, how the language we use can either reinforce our inner critic or rewire our minds for resilience, and how rejection or something we perceive to be a "setback" can be a redirection toward something even better.

You’ll learn:

• How to use the energy of potential rejection to show up for yourself
• Why redefining “failure” can completely shift your mindset to result in a more fulfilling life
• Tools like the STOP technique to gain control over your responses and become more resilient
• The power of the narrative we create in our heads and how responses and reactions to our thoughts can shape the trajectory of our lives

This episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and gentle mindset shifts to help you turn down the volume on the inner critic—and turn up your self-compassion and resilience so you can make the best of whatever life throws your way.

Dave has a special offer exclusively for the listeners of this podcast, stick around till the end of the episode to find out what it is!

🎙️ Connect with Dave 🌐 Website: daverobens.com 📸 Instagram: @daverobens 📘 Facebook: Dave Robens 🔗 LinkedIn: Dave Robens 📧 Email: dave@daverobens.com

📢 Connect with Us 📸 Instagram: @the_rejectedpremed_podcast 💼 LinkedIn: Valeria Rusnak 📩 Email: valerusu55@gmail.com ☕ Support the show: buymeacoffee.com/valeriarusnak

If you need someone to talk to about rejection or feeling lost, you can book a private meeting with me at calendly.com/valerusu55. Everything we discuss will stay between us.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to provide legal, medical, or professional advice.